8 months old

How is this guy already 8 months old?!  This is such a wonderful age...I just want to freeze him here. I honestly can't remember life without him. He is truly the happiest baby I have ever been around.  It was a big month with his first Christmas, first New Year's and first time at Mother's Morning Out!  Graham was also baptized this past Sunday at our church and all our family came in town to celebrate!

First, I want to talk about his hugs.  I mean, seriously, he gives the BEST hugs.  When he reaches to be picked up and as you bring him in to get the good stuff, he lunges...arms open and snuggles right in your neck as he wraps both arms around you.  How awesome/amazing/wonderful is that?!

He still isn't crawling quite yet which has surprised us all because he started rocking on all fours before he turned 6 months old!  He gets on all fours, rocks back and forth, the goes up all his tippee toes and flings himself forward.  Or he tucks and tries to scoot.  He just hasn't figured out if he will just move those hands, he will be on his way!

Graham is obsessed with standing, jumping and holding on to things.  He is much happier that way!  He has just started to hold on to the side of a table or couch without falling but not sure how to get there or get back down without a face plant.  He LOVES his bouncer and his johnny jump up...he will bounce really high into the air...with the greatest of ease...

We moved him to a convertible car seat on the day he turned 8 months old...what a wonderful way to start his 9th month of life.  Leaned back in a comfy ride.

He still isn't quite making it to the morning without a early bottle.  Typically he goes from 7pm to 5am then back to sleep until 7:30am.  He is so close.  But that schedule makes this momma happy.  He is eating Cheerios and real peas & carrots in addition to his pureed meals I make him.  He isn't as a ferocious eater as Anna was, but he definitely enjoys meal time.

He loves to play with Anna and she will humor him every once in a while.  She likes to have a companion in her play kitchen and he will do if MOm and Dad are busy.

We are beyond blessed to have two of the happiest kids on the planet.  (I am not just saying that either...everyone tells us this!)  They adore their Dad, yearn for comfort from me, astound us every day with their love, learning and joy that emanates from every part of their souls.  We are lucky.

I am a blessed lady.

Here are a couple photos from this past month!

Christmas Eve with his cousin Barrett!

Weekend at Mimi & Poppa's celebrating Emily's 3rd B

One night before bed.  So sweet.

At his Baptism at West End Community Church

And baby makes 3

First, I realized I got ZERO pictures of me and the mama-to-be, but I digress.

I hoped on a jet plan last Friday for Tampa to celebrate one of my best friends, Laura (see her amazing blog here).  She is having a baby!  I was super lucky to see her the weekend before in Atlanta but we didn't have our appropriate catching up time...but we got some great time in this weekend.

Our immediate stop was a perfect pedicure (say that three times fast) to help relax us and catch up, laugh and gab as only two very good friends can.  Scott and Laura's friends came over Friday night and a VERY good time was had. Outside with a fire, wine and yummy food...umm, yes please.

Her friend Shannon and I hosted her shower the next day.  Thanks to Pinterest and our love for Laura, it seemed to go off without a hitch (that is, if you don't count the fire alarm episode).  We were all there to celebrate this little baby girl.  So much love for a little thing that we don't even know what she looks like or how amazing her baby smell is, we just know how much we love her momma.

And that was good enough for us.

Birth stat posters for both Laura and Scott

Mantle goodness

One of my favorites.  We shared war stories of babies and those that weren't there yet...well, you see the reaction.

Laura...that's for your baby...:)

Seriously, how sweet is that??

On the next picture below you can see an "awwww!" escaping from her lips.  There was a lot of "aww-ing" as sweet little outfits, tiny socks and teddy bears were passed around.

A couple of ladies from the shower before the afternoon ended.

It was a great weekend with very gracious hosts (Laura & Scott...and little bit). It had been way too long for me between visits.  Good thing I already have another excuse come late February or early March....not that I really needed one.

I love you Laura!!

A new year

There is something truly magical about a new year.  It's the excitement of the unknown but the allure of expectations just waiting to be fullfilled.  I am giddy this time of year.  Every morning is the 'Ok, what will happen today?!' excitement that just can't be bottled.  I love it.  I crave it.

I don't normally go for resolutions as they are always generic and overstated.  LIke, lose 15 lbs (which I want to do) or be a better person (yea, who doesn't).  Instead, I am looking forward to bettering myself and my family through small changes that will last a lifetime.  Not just one year.

These things will include taking time for John and I to travel, encouraging an active lifestyle for our children (which is easier now that we are out of that crazy newborn stage), turning off that damn t.v., reading, teaching and showing the kids EVERYTHING they want to know, growing our business by treating people with more respect and care than they will give us...the list continues.

Today was Graham's first day at school and Anna and I had time to ourselves.  A trip to the gym, target and Subway for lunch had me bursting with love.  She is growing so fast, it was all I could do not to jump across that table and squeeze her and smother her with kisses.  I felt like one big ball of love.  I wanted to call every member of my family and friends and tell them why I love them so much.  In addition, I will write it so they will know forever.

To John.  Today is a big day.  An exciting and moving forward kind of day.  I am beyond proud.  Words can't express.  You have an amazing office, a partner who will grow this practice with you, a secretary to help get your work life in order and the excitement and power to make this thing grow beyond our wild imaginations.  Go.  You rock this. I love you so much.

To Kristen and Luke.  Happy Anniversary!  You both are showing the power of love.  Keep going.  Keep loving.  You will only get more in return.  Kristen, you are my complete hero.

To Mom and Dad.  Our lives are incomplete and lost without the both of you.  Guiding, showing and pointing the way for our families.  Always in awe.

To Matty:  Second to Dad and John, you are one of the bravest men I know.   It only gets better from here.

To Laura: I can't describe to you what you are about to experience by bringing that sweet girl into the world.  But I can tell you this, I have been dying to share it with you.  It is ground moving, earth shattering, heart growing, intense, amazing love.  You will wonder what life was like before she arrived, knowing you never want to live a day without her.

To Pam and Andy: I am beyond blessed with in-laws like you.  I can't tell you enough...thank you for everything.

To Sonia & Tommy: Your lives are about to move in an exciting direction...and although I get teary eyed thinking about you moving far away, in the same moment I am excited for your family.  You guys are our people, that will never change.

To my bible study girls:  You are changing me.  And I like where I am going.

These aren't the only people in my life who I think about and have immense love for, just the highlights.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!